Super Netball setbacks strengthen Magpies

Losing two star players and the head coach is enough to derail any team, but Collingwood feel it has only made them stronger as they look to upset the Melbourne Vixens and book a place in the Super Netball preliminary final.

The Magpies take on the Vixens at the State Netball Hockey Centre on Sunday afternoon in a sudden-death final and will start favourites after three successive wins, including an 11-point win over their cross-town rivals in the final round.

They've had to do it without co-captain Madi Browne or her World Cup-playing sister Kelsey, who both suffered season-ending knee injuries.

They will also be without their coach Rob Wright, who recently lost his mother.

Assistant coaches Nicole Richardson and Kate Upton will continue steering the ship against the Vixens, while Ash Brazill will again fill Kelsey Browne's centre role.

Richardson said the transition for her and Upton to cover the head coach duties had been seamless.

"Rob's stepped away to grieve the loss of his mum and be with family, and it's been a seamless transition for Kate and I and the girls because right from the word go, Rob empowered us at training so it's always been like a coaching panel," Richardson told AAP.

She said the setbacks had built resilience and a bond between the players and staff.

"I think it's brought the group closer because we want to make them proud," Richardson said.

The Magpies came into the competition three years ago with a star-studded roster and huge expectations, but finished fourth in 2017 and then second-last in 2018.

The addition of former Australian shooter Natalie Medhurst this season has added valuable experience, particularly in high-pressure games.

"They do say that cream rises to the top, don't they?" Richardson said of the 35-year-old.

"Nat's an incredible player with a ton of talent and she's a real General in that attack-end and controls that for us.

"Nat, in particular, has been able to step up in what she's been able to provide on court in those big matches when we've needed her."